This is the sixth monthly update about the Strengthening DPULOs Programme, which aims to ensure DPULOs can provide a strong voice for disabled people by being more sustainable. You can find the fifth update here.
DPULOs in Scotland and Wales to benefit from £3m fund
We were very pleased to announce on 25 July that DPULOs in Scotland and Wales are now able to access the Strengthening DPULOs Programme, including the £3m Facilitation Fund.
In announcing the extension, Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller said:
Back in July last year I launched a £3m fund to help strengthen grassroots organisations by giving out pots of money to fund individual projects on the ground. The idea was based on feedback I received from these organisations that a little funding at the right time can make all the difference to the support they are able to provide to disabled people.
We have millions of pounds to invest, so I would urge people who are part of DPULOs in Scotland and Wales to apply to the fund and take this is an opportunity build on the successes they have already achieved.
We strongly encourage DPULOs from Scotland and Wales to find out about the Programme.
You can read the full press release here.
The dedicated Ambassador for Scotland is Margaret Simpson and the dedicated Ambassador for Wales is Cerrys Hill. You can find their contract details here.
DPULOs working to make a difference in employment
ecdp – a DPULO based in Essex – has launched a ground-breaking work experience training programme for disabled people. In delivering Essex Unite, ecdp will work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and the private sector group MITIE to offer unemployed disabled individuals the opportunity to participate in meaningful work placements to give them the drive, experience and confidence needed to get into paid employment.
You can find out more about this new significant project here.
DPULO Ambassadors on the road
The Strengthening DPULOs Programme Ambassadors have been on several visits to successful DPULOs and other relevant events lately. You can read all about these below:
- Mark Baggley visits Mutual Support
- Barry Ginley attends launch of the Access to Elected Office strategy
- Mike Adams thinks of some useful advice from Kenneth Williams whilst working with a DPULO in Redbridge!
- Lynne Turnbull writes about DPULOs working in safeguarding
Useful resources
One key part of the Strengthening DPULOs Programme is to share learning and useful resources. Some useful links to recent information we’ve published are below:
- Funding Central is a free funding database that any DPULO can use to find out what funding is available
- Similarly, the Government publishes every contract opportunity over £10,000 on Contracts Finder here
- Advice from the Guardian on how to tap into alternative funding streams
- £1.5 million is being made available through the Community Support Fund for local Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations (DPULO) and Voluntary & Community Sector organisations (VCS) in areas affected by the Remploy factory closures across England, Scotland and Wales. You can find all the information you need to find out more about the Community Support Fund, and how to apply, here
- Disability Rights UK has published a useful resource on how to use the law if local services for disabled people have changed
- A very useful and comprehensive table on the different options for user engagement
- Government is updating the way it consults by taking a more proportionate approach
- DPULOs are central to the delivery of the Care and Support White Paper
- Easy ways of doing digital engagement
- 10 tips for getting your press notice noticed, from NCVO
- A whole series of free resources across a range of topics, also from NCVO
If you have any learning or resources you’d like to share or have any resources you’d particularly like, please let us know (contact details are at the bottom of this update).
Find out more about the Programme
To find out more about the Strengthening DPULOs Programme, you can visit our website: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/dpuloprogramme
We have now “liked” every DPULO we know about on Facebook and will regularly share news from them around the country. If you are on Facebook you can keep in touch with the programme through our regularly updated page: http://www.facebook.com/dpulos
If you are on Twitter, you can share information and find out more about DPULOs using the hashtag #dpulo.
As always, we’d be grateful if you can spread the word and publicise this news throughout your networks / newsletters / websites etc. We’d also be grateful for any feedback you have on this regular email.
Contact us
For information, biographies, contact details and details of the areas covered by each of the DPULO Ambassadors covers, please visit the Ambassadors page.
If you have any questions about the Facilitation Fund or any part Strengthening DPULOs Programme, please contact odi.businessperformance@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
Please feel free to forward this information on to any DPULOs, networks or stakeholders you think might find it interesting. If you didn’t receive the original email, please share your contact details with us so you can receive our monthly emails.
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